Setting the bar

2 Timothy 2:25-26 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

I read this verse today and began to evaluate my performance as a role model and teacher towards others, because I feel that I am in that roll quite often. People know who I am, and what I believe and what I'm about. My RA staff knows I'm Christian, my employers know, and all my friends know. Even the people that don't like me call me a bible rat.

Though I do sin, I know I can live a Christian lifestyle. I know that I have set good examples through my behavior. By reading proverbs, I've learned and am continuing to learn how to live a Christian lifestyle and how to show others that through my actions.

When it comes to words though, it's a different story. It's always been difficult for me though, to confront others about their poor decisions or behavior. My internship has allowed me to do this in a therapeutic setting, and my RA role has allowed me to do this in terms of the rules, but that's it so far.

It makes me nervous to instruct on the bible, and though I read it often, it makes me nervous to instruct others on it. What if they catch me off guard and I can't answer a question, what if I make God look foolish because I can't answer a question? Those are the types of things I think about every time I am in the position of the teacher. I love being the teacher because I feel that I know much about God's Word and how to live a Christian life, but I'm always afraid it's not going to be enough to satisfy the next student.

This train of thought leads me to two different sentiments:
1. I'm being to harsh on myself and I am a good teacher in my own way. I just beat myself up quite a bit in overthinking it.

2. Though I may be a good teacher in some respects I certainly need to fine tune my biblical knowledge so I don't have to continue feeling this way.

Perhaps I am better in knowing the action rather than the word. Whether or not this is the case, this passage has taught me that it is important to be able to instruct, because it is good for the other person to be able to escape from the sin their life is caught in. One way or the other, should my brother or sister fall into a negative train of thought, I should be able to have the knowledge to gently correct and inform him or her of how to get back on the right track.

That's quite the tall order isn't it? This verse sort of gives the reader this responsibility for one's bretherin, which I think is fantastic. We are one body, after all. We function best when we are all working in unison.

So yeah...Study the bible...take responsibility...instruct and care for one another...you got it God